Advaitashtakam (Gangatire Tatpayobhih)
Eight verses and a closing benefit verse in praise of Advaita Acharya, whose loving cries are said to have called Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to appear.
Verses
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, who worshipped Gaura (Sri Chaitanya) on the banks of the Ganges with its water, Tulasi leaves, flowers, and loud cries of love to cause Him to manifest.
Verse 1
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, attracted by whose loud shouts—the transformations of his ocean of love—Golokanatha Gaura manifested in Sri Navadvipa.
Verse 2
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, who caused Srila Chaitanyachandra to manifest and flooded the world with a stream of divine love that is rare even for Brahma and other demigods.
Verse 3
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, by whose command even the all-powerful Sri Chaitanya disappeared from this world, and whose merciful actions are difficult to comprehend.
Verse 4
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, whose expansions are Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha—who perform the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe—and who is non-different from Maha-Vishnu.
Verse 5
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, who is considered in certain scriptures to be the refuge of Shambhu (Shiva), whose name and abode are famous, who is worshipful by all, and who is attainable only through devotion.
Verse 6
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, whose beloved wife is Sita Devi who is filled with divine love, whose son is named Achyutananda, and who is completely filled with the flow of love for Sri Chaitanya.
Verse 7
I take shelter of Srila Advaitacharya, who is named 'Advaita' because he is non-different from Nityananda, whose name became 'Acharya' because he continuously preaches the path of devotion, and whose mind always wanders in Gauradhama.
Verse 8
One who recites this Ashtakam of Sitanatha (Advaitacharya) with love every morning with a purified intelligence attains devotion unto His lotus feet and becomes dear to Him.
Verse 9
Thus ends the Advaitashtakam composed by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya.
Verse 10
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Wednesday (Budhwar), Thursday (Guruwar) & Ekadashi
Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta) or Sandhya (Twilight)
Tulsi leaves, Butter (Makhan), Mishri, Yellow flowers & Chandan
- Awakening of pure divine love (Prema Bhakti), mental joy, and freedom from anxiety
Background
The Advaita Ashtakam belongs to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which centers on devotion to Krishna. The Sanskrit Documents text attributes it to Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, a scholar of logic from Navadvipa who later lived in Puri and became a follower of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 6). The hymn honors Advaita Acharya, revered as an incarnation of Mahavishnu and the intimate associate whose prayers inspired Chaitanya's advent. Devotees recite it as a morning prayer or at gatherings that honor Advaita Acharya.
About this Text
Composed by: Adi Shankaracharya · Classical Philosopher-Saint · 8th century CE, Kaladi (Kerala)
A philosopher and monk born in Kaladi, Kerala, credited with systematizing Advaita Vedanta (non-dual philosophy) and establishing four monastic seats (mathas) across India. Alongside his commentaries on the Upanishads and Brahma Sutras, he composed numerous devotional hymns to various deities in classical Sanskrit.
Did You Know?
Author
The Sanskrit Documents text attributes this stotra of eight verses plus a benefit verse to Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, a great scholar and logician. In the Gaudiya account of Chaitanya Charitamrita (Madhya 6), he met Chaitanya Mahaprabhu at Puri and became his devoted follower.
Who is Advaita Acharya?
He is a central figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, revered as non-different from Maha-Vishnu. Verse 5 describes Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as his expansions. Verse 1 speaks of him worshipping Gaura on the banks of the Ganges with Ganga water, tulasi leaves, flowers and loud cries of love.
Structure of the Hymn
The first eight verses each end with the line 'I surrender to Shri Advaita Acharya,' offering obeisances from different angles. The final ninth verse describes the spiritual benefit of daily recitation — attaining closeness to Advaita's lotus feet and deep devotion.
Role in Chaitanya's advent
According to the traditional account, Advaita Acharya felt deep compassion for the world's suffering and fervently called upon Krishna to descend. Verse 2 says that his loud cries drew Gaura to appear in Navadvipa, Bengal.
Family Mentioned
Verse 7 names Advaita Acharya’s wife, Sita Devi (described as full of love), and his son, Acyutananda, who later became a prominent preacher of Chaitanya's movement.
Krishna
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